The Super Eagles may have won the FIFA World Cup by now if it weren’t for the fact that so many Nigerian footballers are currently playing for other countries. Surely you must think I’m exaggerating....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Just wait until you read this list I’m about to recite of Nigerian footballers who currently play for other countries. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Glass House would have been the perfect place to display any of their trophies, not just the World Cup but also the Africa Cup of Nations.
Here are six footballers from Nigeria who currently represent other nations;
1. Dele Alli
Dele Alli, 26, is a defensive midfielder for Everton and the England national team. Dele is of Nigerian heritage and was born in England. Seven years ago, he scored his first England goal against France at Wembley Stadium.
England reached the semi-finals for the first time in 28 years after his goal against Sweden in the quarterfinals. Dele played for England against Croatia in the semi-finals, winning a free-kick that put England ahead. They lost after extra time.
2. Ross Barkley.
Ross Barkley, 28, is a Chelsea attacking midfielder. Barkley, originally from Nigeria, was capped by England in 2013 and earned his first senior cap the following month as a substitute against Moldova at Wembley.
He made his World Cup debut in England’s opening game against Italy in Manaus. He played the entire final group game against Costa Rica.
3. Karim Adeyemi
The 20-year-old striker Karim-David Adeyemi presently competes for Red Bull Salzburg and the German national team. Adeyemi, a native of Nigeria, made his senior team debut in Germany’s 6–1 victory over Armenia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match.
He entered the game as a substitute in the 89th minute and scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
3. Ado Onaiwu
Ado Onaiwu, born in Japan but of Nigerian ancestry, is a professional footballer who plays forward for both Toulouse and the Japanese national team. Onaiwu debuted for Japan in a friendly match against Serbia, and it was his first international appearance overall. Four days later, in the FIFA World Cup, he scored a hat trick against Kyrgyzstan.
5. David Alaba
David Olatukunbo Alaba is a Real Madrid and Austria midfielder. Alaba is Nigerian and from Vienna. In 2009, he played for Austria against France. Austria’s first World Cup goal. David scored six goals in Austria’s World Cup group game. He captained Austria’s World Cup-winning team against Moldova.
6. Thomas Lemar.
Thomas Lemar, 26, plays midfield for Atlético Madrid and France. Lemar joined France’s senior team in 2016. In a 2018 World Cup qualification match against the Netherlands, he scored twice for France.
He played in France’s last group game against Denmark. France beat Croatia in the final to win their second World Cup on 15 July. Nigerian and Guadeloupean Lemar. Grandfather played for Nigeria’s Super Eagles
